The Curragh 6/13

[spiderjohn]

not messing with the early races since I won't be able to watch

Jumping in for 6

CALYX GLADNESS(G3)

Small field complicates this for me. Condon's #5 CRAFTY MADAM is hopefully the best value out there. Seemed to improve late last year, though she doesn't win often. Two starts on this surface with a quality win and a close 2nd is what makes me take a shot. Otherwise, Aidan O's #2 LANCASTER HOUSE has the pedigree and should return to form after three initial daylight wins, followed by a higher class loss + break. Joseph O's #1 SPEAK IN COLOURS is the other very obvious contender after four course starts, with three wins and a second. Wondering why Lordan is not aboard or anywhere in here.... Hard to make $$ in this race.

IRISH 1000 GUINEAS(G1)

Niarchos' #1 ALBIGNA is the one I have been hearing about for over a year. Very good last year, with an unfortunate too late run out west in the BC. Tough spot to return, and if not today, keep an eye on this one later....Aidan O's #13 SO WONDERFUL is no stranger to the course, and was facing some of the best last year. Issue being that she never wins. Joseph O's #9 NEW YORK GIRL is interesting off of a big last out win on the course second time out, and #11 RIDENZA catches my eye with a super pedigree and possibly a better than it looks win first time out. Of course, #10 PEACEFUL is a threat, while I keep looking at her first start, and to whom she lost.

Hopefully #1 goes off at near her morning line.....I have been extremely fortunate to be the guest of the very gracious Niarchos/Flaxman group on a few occasions, and was sitting in their box there two years ago, when ALPHA CENTAURI exploded to win and break a long-running Ascot track record. I am forever grateful for that experience, and all of the wonderful moments the I have had within the racing world.

LANWADES STUD(G2)

#1 MAGIC WAND returns from somewhere in the Middle East, and she is always a factor wherever she is spotted. A deserved chalk. #6 SILK FOREST is the obvious threat, off of two very strong runs to end last season. + she has never finished worse than a close second. Any of the others could fill the tri.

Good luck!

Done until Tuesday

See u then 10f!

[tenfurlongs]

Good analysis Spider, I'm right in line with you on most of it. The luster came off the Lanwades Stud when three of the seven entries scratched, so it's not playable for me now. I'm going to try the two big handicap races with 17 runners and 18 runners hoping to catch another trophy fish. Best of luck today!

TW

[tenfurlongs]

Curragh 11:00- 2m Handicap (4yo+)  17 runners going two miles to start it off, I'm tired just looking at the PPs.  #2- Never Do Nothing (5-1) was very progressive last season and never missed the board. Three hurdle races already earlier this year. #12- Run for Mary (10-1) was also highly progressive with a breakthrough 7 1/2 length win at 2 mi. when last seen at Thurles in October.

EX- 2,12/2,4,9,12,13  Result: 15,13,5  21-1, 4-1, 30-1. Hard to come up with the winner, although he ran an okay race in a two-miler here last June, with Lordan up.

TW

[tenfurlongs]

Curragh 1:15- 1m4f Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap (Premier Handicap) (4yo+)  17 horses going 1 1/2 mi. = $$$. #3- King's Vow (4-1) ran very well over the first half of its 3yo season. Two good 2mi. runs on the AW this winter, should certainly be fit. #7- Edification (20-1) was very consistent last term, winning three times and nine of seventeen in the money, over all types of ground.

EX- 3,7/1,3,7,8,16  Result: 7,15,4  Got the winner Edification (16-1) home, couldn't come up with the place horse. 16-1, 12-1, 14-1. Gotta love big handicap fields!

TW

[tenfurlongs]

Curragh 1:45- 7f Gladness Stakes (Group 3) (4yo+)  #3 is a non-runner. #1- Speak in Colours (2-1) was GI-placed last season and had two good wins. Horse-for-the-course at Curragh (4/3-1-0) but no successes past 6F. #2- Lancaster House (9-5) burst onto the scene last summer with three wins in a row before falling to GII opponents going a mile. Interesting cutback in distance today is puzzling. Maybe he needs a race? #5- Crafty Madam (10-1) may like 7F more than any of these. Solid runs in handicaps last season culminating in a GIII-placing in the Concorde S.

EX- 5/1,2  Result: 2,1,4  Lancaster House ($4.00) was the easiest of winners, making all the pace with no one even getting to shouting distance. Interesting to see where he goes next.

TW

[tenfurlongs]

Curragh 2:15- 1m Irish 1,000 Guineas (Group 1) (Fillies) (3yo)  #3,7,11,12 are out. Hard to find one to oppose big favorite Albigna (9-5) who runs in the Niarchos colors for Jessica Harrington and jockey Shane Foley, the hottest team in racing right now. Won a GI at Longchamps before rallying too late in the BC Juv FT at SA. Has stablemate #15- Valeria Messalina (15-1) entered as well, presumably to set an honest pace if needed, but that one has her own merits, finishing just a neck short of Rose of Kildare in a GIII at Newmarket. #4- Even So (20-1) won't go at that price but could inject some value to wagers. #9- New York Girl (15-1), #10- Peaceful (3-1), #13- So Wonderful (6-1) and maiden #14- Soul Search (20-1) are all in with a chance.

TRI- 1/4,10,13,14/4,9,10,13,14,15  Result: 10,5,13  It's an O'Brien family superfecta! Galileo with yet another Classic winner, and Heffernan picked the right one with Ryan Moore not having dibs. Albigna just didn't run a step today.

TW

[spiderjohn]

Couldn’t play the 6th and didn’t play the 7th @ 3/5
Almost pulled the trigger on a 5runner tri box using the favorite + the O’Briens, but didn’t think that I would get my money back— should have done it—an O’Brien super that paid well!
Skipping the 8th also

Maybe something later at cd or Belmont or maybe waiting for Tuesday

[cherokeescot]

The appropriately named Peaceful is the 85th different grade 1 winner for Galileo , overtaking Danehill to set a new world record

[1hooper]

Galileo is something special.
Here is a quote from Aidan in 2018.

“Galileos are, like, very strange horses, meaning that they try so hard,” O’Brien said. “And always with the Galileos, all you’re trying to do is slow them down and relax them. With most other horses, it’s the complete opposite. But Galileos, they never remember what happened yesterday. Say they got really tired– and when a horse gets really tired, they feel a bit of pain–some horses get very clever to that and they don’t want to go back there anymore. So what happens is that when they start controlling that, you can only train them to a certain level because they won’t let you push them any further. But with Galileos, they will give their absolute 150% every day. It’s very strange. It’s a mental trait, not a physical trait. Of all the horses we’ve ever trained, we’ve never seen it in another horse before. It’s a gene that will carry on. It’s a pure remind of him.”

[spiderjohn]

Aidan O’Brien is special, imo. Humble, righteous, mannerly and deserves all accolades that he receives. He has the best owners and the best horses. Imagine scheduling and training a group such as what he has.

I was fortunate to meet him out at Del Mar during the BC weekend. I am not important at all within the racing world, yet when we talked, he was extremely attentive, simply look at the talent/knowledge that has transferred throughout his family...

And he has all of the galileos, frankels, etc
They couldn’t be in a better place.....